Here I have posted both photos of “ The Kiss”  and the sculpture ”Unconditional Surrender” so you can make a better evaluation of this controversy and what is art,.. be it a photograph or other medium. 

Sculpture in Sarasota Fl.

A Controversy

What is Art ?  And,..  who says it is,.. Art ?  These two simple but loaded questions have my town all a twitter.

 Isn’t art  considered  to be in the eye of the beholder ? I have heard that many times during my life, but  does that make it true?
 That beholder is the one who either likes , or dislikes the object created.
 To buy or not buy, to look and appreciate or shun said object d’ Arte.  True not all art created can or will be sold, but is it then,.. not art  if no one buys it?

Well, surely then its not very lucrative for the artist, so,.. why do they still create ?  It is the love of the doing, the process, the getting your hands dirty and loving it, and  for the satisfaction it gives the creator.

You artists know what I’m saying and understand. Although we would all like to be rich and famous, it  just won’t happen, that’s life, whether you are a performing or fine artist. If you do find your niche it satisfies, at  best, and more it can provide sustenance.  

 So here, dear reader, I offer the facts of this situation and  I pose the age old question, what is considered art?  I understand everyone is entitled to their opinion and, I have at the end of this tale, given mine.

 How will you feel ? What is your take on all this ?

   A History of  “The Kiss”  

  “Unconditional Surrender “  was created from the popular  WWII  photo ” The  Kiss“  shot by photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt. It was the last day of WWII and people were in the streets celebrating the wars end. That  photo of a sailor, with his arms cradling a nurse in a big kiss, was published in all the important and popular papers and magazines of the time. 

  Some say it was a candid, spur of the moment photo op, some say it was staged.  Most folks didn’t care anyway, as it made people feel good and expressed the headiness of a country free of  that “war to end all wars”. 

A History of the  Sculpture  “Unconditional Surrender”

So back to the present,.. In a tribute to that famous photo,  when artist  J. Seward Johnson, in 2004 sculpted a close replica, of  The Kiss,  measuring 25 ft in height using Styrofoam. Displayed at the USS Midway Museum near Tuna Harbor in San Diego, Ca.  in 2007 a wildly popular attraction and agreed to be a perfect venue for that smooching sailor and nurse.  It was contracted to be at that site for a year. 

 The Art Council has its annual Season of Sculpture 

The Art Council of Sarasota has the annual Season of Sculpture so as one of the exhibits we now have  J. Seward Johnson’s  25 ft. tall  sculpture  known as ” Unconditional Surrender”  chosen, along with many other artists entries. Many, if not most, of them being abstract forms, and art objects consisting of glass,metal, and foam, some brightly painted in primary colors,some in bare shiny metal, or rusted cars standing on end, and even what looked like a giant molar, all displayed and widely scattered along the bay front.

Mr. Johnson’s was staged at the Marina Jack Harbor and Pier, South of downtown Sarasota and in sight of busy Rt 41 for all to see.

This route 41  takes you over the new Ringling Causeway bridge into St, Armands Circle, site  of the Circus Memorial Park staged in the middle of the roundabout. The many upscale restaurants and boutiques fill this area where you can make a left heading South and visit Lido Beach, or take a right and head North, and travel out to  Long Boat Key and its manicured golf venues, fountains, landscaped profusely filled floral gardens of private gated condos and townhouses blocking the view of the Gulf of Mexico and beaches for miles.   

Sarasota Florida’s Cultural Venues

Sarasota, Florida is known for not only being a tourist destination on  The Gulf of Mexico with beautiful beaches of soft, pure white talcum powder like sand and Luxury Resorts but also for its Art and Cultural venues.

The Marie Selby Gardens, John and Mable Ringling Museum of  Art and  Ca d ‘ Zan Mansion, as well as the also named Ringling School of Art, The  Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, The Annual Foreign Film Festival, The Asolo and Golden Apple Theaters, and other performing Repertory,and Symphony companies all offering the best for those seeking Art and  Culture in a beautiful setting. With the city of Tampa a quick 50 miles North,  via  I 75,  Sarasota has the best of a city but still the feel of a small town. 

The Critics Speak Out 

So,..My question is,.. do you think if an object continually draws a happy, smiling, eager crowd of  folks, cameras clicking away,people posing with friends, lovers, and family,..is that an object d’arte ?
Obviously this means much to many and evokes great feelings. So, isn’t that what art is supposed to do ? 

Well,..some folks here in Sarasota, Florida, those art critic folks to be exact, are not feeling the joy or the love  felt by those happy, smiling crowds that gather at the base of the sculpture. They say it should be placed by the boat ramp out by The Centennial  Park, or down by the theater, or children’s G Whiz  Museum or down  by the Mote Marine Aquarium, or Ken Thompson Park.

Just not in such a prominent area of downtown. Where the many yachts and sloops are docked, also, in site of the grand Hyatt Hotel.  It’s just too cartoonish is the word some have used. Not real art by others.

Well,  the local paper,  The Sarasota Herald  Tribune, is still getting mail  both pro and con in the opinion pages, and a lively debate it has been. This alone, I guarantee, has sold many papers.

The Latest Who Is It ?

 The latest news was the woman who says she was the nurse in that photo has come forward and has opined that the man who claims he is the sailor could really be one and the same that she  kissed.  She had no idea at the time the photo was taken who the sailor was but apparently there is a birthmark on his hand that would be the clincher and serve as the identifier. Then, again, she said many sailors were kissing many nurses.  There are at least two still claiming to be that sailor in the photograph.

My Opinion

I had to see for myself  what all the fuss was about. I have to say, my  first reaction was, that even though this event happened before I was born , I still got the biggest smile on my face, that,..  ahhh kind of gaping, silly smile so big, I might catch some flies if I weren’t careful.
It is just so full of life and fun to see.  The wonderful details Mr. Johnson added like the bouquet of roses, albeit, being crushed by the Sailors embrace, the seams of the clothing  and stockings on the Nurse and sewed Navy patch on the Sailors sleeve non of which can be seen in the original photo of  The Kiss. 

Indeed a great moment of celebration, in a time past, captured for us all to enjoy. Each time I drive or stop by to visit  nurse and sailor there they are, the people, visitors, European tourists, all busily snapping away smiling for their cameras and  looking very small next to that nurse’s shoes. 

In my opinion the sailor and nurse win first place. That huge molar ?,.. maybe a dentist would love to have on his building, great for advertising,.. can’t miss it.

I am not famous nor will I ever be so, but, as an artist, I love ART because it makes me feel good.  I know my art creations have made those people feel  good and brought pleasure and  maybe a fond tear or two,,..and isn’t that the point of it all.  Or why bother to create anything if it doesn’t elicit positive emotions ?

So if you are traveling on I75 take exit 210 Fruitville Rd. head West into downtown and you can pose with that sailor and nurse, don’t forget to leave a donation in the box. It’s for buying the sculpture for whomever owns it can decide where to hide or not hide this great controversial piece of Art. It might be sooner than later this will be gone.

 Personally, I hope it stays there for many years to come.

Donna Evans  

www.anythingairbrushedart.com